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Hi Madsens

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It's a beautiful Saturday morning here in Northern Utah.🌞Marcus is just starting an all day hunter safety course. David is on his way home from a business trip in Tucson, only to have to fly to Lima (Peru) on Monday and then Canada the following week. As you can see, his work is keeping him away from home these days and that is not easy on us, but we do what we have to do, don't we? I'm so thankful to have Zach and Darcie living at home at this time. Marissa is preparing to return to BYU-Idaho in two weeks for fall semester. She and I have been busy preparing for that. We've grocery shopped for her non-perishable food items and I've typed up several recipes for her. She was very good her first year to prepare most of her meals at home, saving us money.

Marcus' online classes do not start up until the 31st, but his first year of Seminary began this past Tuesday. So far he is really enjoying his Seminary class. It's a bit of a sacrifice for us since, being h…

We wrapped up Marcus' 8th grade year in May. Since he is my baby this is the last time I will teach 8th grade. It's bittersweet for me. I loved this past homeschool year! I know most of my friends and family don't understand this, but homeschooling has blessed my life in so many ways as a mother. It has given me precious time with my children that I wouldn't have otherwise. Have you ever thought about how much time is stolen away by 6 hours of school, 5 days a week, for approx. 180 days a year, for 13 years of childhood? No, this mama needs unhurried time with her baby before he grows up and leaves the nest, in only 4 short years, and my son deserves more of a childhood than society would have me give him. I remember how overwhelmed and insignificant I often felt in school. I'm so thankful there are choices today, to give our children a different kind of education, one which sparks childhood spontaneity and engages the child's mind and heart. One which truly e…

Why is your fireplace on in the middle of May? Yesterday we had an unexpected snow storm and the temps have been miserable ever since. 😕

What movie are you watching at this moment? The Pajama Game, starring Doris Day. 😊

Who is watching the movie with you? Darcie Doll

What was the highlight of your day? Going out for lunch with my 4 kiddos. We wanted to support the youth council's hamburger stand. It's Black and White Days this week (which could explain the weather! 😉).

What is Black and White Days? It's an annual community event, which started as a Holstein show back in 1912. There's Little Miss pageant winners, a parade, a horse pull, a cow-a-bunga race, cattle show, etc. all week long.

Sounds fun! What else is happening at the moment? Let's see- David's in Toronto and will be back tomorrow night. He's traveling for work a lot these days. The kids and I have been busy decluttering our house. It feels so good to simplify our lives.How's homeschooling goin…

I'm so happy it's Spring! I'm loving having all of my college kids home. I adore my new Primary calling. Six years, people! That's how long I've been out of Primary. Until now. I am so thankful to a loving Father in Heaven for this calling. He answers prayers! I have missed Primary so much. I was in heaven on Sunday at church. I even braved bearing my testimony. Why do I always weep when I do so? Sigh. My three college kids, Zach, Darcie and Marissa are attending a singles ward. I miss having them sit by us in Sacrament meeting, but I'm glad there are singles wards. I think it's good for them, and how fun that they can attend church together!

Besides what I've already mentioned, I am grateful for...

The beautiful weather we're having. The green grass. Cows mooing across the street. This country setting and the lovely valley we call home. My Sony camera! I love taking pictures, even though I'm still pretty amateurish. I can't get enough of t…

I want to invite anyone who stumbles upon this to visit me at my new blog, Camie's Cozy Corner. I'd be honored if you followed me there.

This is one of my favorite gifts from this Christmas. This lovely quilt was made by my talented sister-in-law who wanted to do something special for us after our two families spent a magical vacation in Disney World together this past May. We will cherish this quilt for many years to come.

Another favorite gift is this beautiful rendering of the Logan temple at night. The lovely couple who had been living in our basement until just recently gave us this for Christmas and it means so much to me. There is a story behind this print. It's the print of an original painting made by an artist the wife knew personally from her childhood. The artist has since passed away from cancer.

In case you hadn't heard, we have moved home! We hope to be here for the next year at least. This move has put so much joy in my heart. I finally feel like this …

I have a new macro lens for my camera and this was one of my first tries with it. I miss Autumn in Utah, but there is a quiet beauty in the Sonoran desert that I've come to appreciate as I take nature walks here.

This is our simple homeschool room this year. I framed the U.S. map in the center (it's a little too high on the wall, but I didn't want to create another nail hole and used what was already there). The bookcase is new and I love it. The fall centerpiece is from one of my closest friends who wanted to give me a bit of Autumn that I'm missing here.

I lovingly made the star-spangled paper border myself. It's our time-line border and hopefully Marcus and I will start making use of it next week when we begin our state history unit.

I've been giving this a lot of thought and since the purpose for this blog has yet to be realized (I had hoped that it would draw extended family and friends here, to take an interest in our adventurous life), I've decided …

Well here we are, back in Tucson, adjusting to home life without our sweet Marissa girl, who is experiencing her first week of college life. I thought I'd share some of the pictures she sent to my iPhone yesterday. The first four are the horticulture gardens...

And this next one is a view of the Rexburg temple and a chapel.

So far, she seems to be enjoying her first days at BYU-I and she loves the classes she chose. One is a family history class so I'll be sending her pictures that I have from her life up 'til now, especially from when she was younger, as she compiles her life history for an assignment. She's been making some new friends as well. I think college life suits her!
As for Marcus and I, we haven't started our state history unit as I've been too busy unpacking and setting things up here, but we do have a service opportunity this morning that we are taking advantage of so I'm looking forward to that. :)
Hope you're having a fantastic week!